The Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting (RSNA 2023), held at Chicago’s McCormick Place November 26-30, offered a comprehensive program of radiology research and education and showcased the latest in medical imaging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) applications for 40,661 registrants. The meeting’s theme was “Leading Through Change.”

RSNA 2023 featured more than 850 scientific papers, more than 1,400 scientific posters, more than 1,600 education exhibits and more than 300 educational courses.

“The strong attendance numbers for RSNA 2023 are reflective of the desire of radiology professionals to collaborate with colleagues across the globe and the quality of the meeting experience,” says RSNA Executive Director Mark G. Watson. “As the world’s leading radiology forum, the RSNA annual meeting offers an unrivaled research and education program, access to the latest in medical imaging technologies and AI applications, and an array of opportunities for professional engagement and career advancement.”

Popular sessions like the Image Interpretation Session, Case of the Day, and the plenary session game show offered exciting experiences for attendees, while the “Fast 5” sessions featured rapid-fire presentations related to the RSNA 2023 theme. The meeting also offered inspiring plenary sessions focused on critical topics for radiology leaders. In his President’s Address, Matthew A. Mauro, MD, discussed the importance of accepting and adapting to change.

“Change is essential. It is the driver of growth,” he says. “All of the great advances in our field and in life have emerged as a result of extraordinary pursuits of science and imagination. The manner in which we embrace and adapt to that change will ultimately determine our success in the future.”

In his address, Mauro laid out several approaches that help radiology professionals be intentional and proactive while leading teams and organizations through transformative change in healthcare.

Research and education presentations spanned a wide variety of subjects, including recent studies on hot topics in healthcare like ChatGPT, theranostics, and long COVID. AI continues to generate substantial interest, with hundreds of research papers, posters, courses and education exhibits focusing on AI’s role in radiology diagnosis, therapy and workflow.  

The Technical Exhibits areas included the expansive AI Showcase and Theater, as well as the Imaging AI in Practice demonstration and the RSNAI Resource Center.

The AI Showcase allowed attendees to connect with companies to see the latest in machine learning and AI products and learn more about how to implement these novel applications in their practices. The AI Theater hosted several engaging presentations, as well as a recognition event for the teams with the top performing models in the RSNA Screening Mammography Breast Cancer Detection AI Challenge and the RSNA Abdominal Trauma Detection AI Challenge.

“AI has great potential to contribute to radiology in meaningful ways, both in diagnostics and patient management,” Watson says. “RSNA is proud to offer our attendees a multitude of AI sessions and courses, as well as the latest AI technologies on the exhibit floor.”

RSNA 2023’s Technical Exhibits covered 398,400 square feet and featured 691 exhibitors—including 133 first-time RSNA exhibitors—demonstrating the latest medical imaging technologies in CT, MRI, AI, 3D printing, and more.

Sharing the Technical Exhibits spotlight with the AI Showcase were the 3D Printing and Mixed Reality Showcase, Innovation Theater, First-time Exhibitor Pavilion, Educators Row, and Recruiters Row. With a designated Career Resource Center, Recruiters Row had over 40 recruiters and offered onsite job interviews and career-focused presentations.

Industry programming at RSNA 2023 included corporate symposia, “Lunch and Learns,” vendor workshops, AI Theater and Innovation Theater presentations and Fireside Chat presentations. Virtual Access to RSNA 2023 is available on-demand until April 30, 2024, noon CT. RSNA 2024, RSNA’s 110th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, will take place from Dec. 1-5, 2024, in Chicago.